Sunday, July 26, 2015

Brandi Maxiell was
born and raised in Dallas, Texas by single-mom Terri Duncan who
sacrificed to send her daughter to the best schools. Consequently,
Brandi learned at an early age that education was the key to success.
She would graduate
from the University of North Texas in 2007 before moving to Detroit
to live with her high school sweetheart/fiancé, NBA star
Jason Maxiell who was then playing for the Pistons.

While
there, Brandi was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She soon
returned home to Dallas for surgery. The cancer came as a complete
surprise to the otherwise very healthy 24 year-old. But due to the
procedure and chemotherapy, she developed numerous additional
health issues. Fortunately, following months of treatments,
Brandi was cancer-free by 2008.

A
couple years later, Brandi had her dream wedding when she
and Jason married. The couple wanted to start a family right away.
but Brandi soon discovered that she had fertility issues. So,
she went through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatments which
initially failed.

This
was a low blow for Brandi because she wanted to become a mother
so badly. Despite being discouraged, she persevered. She did
extensive research about IVF, tried again, and it finally worked. She
and Jason welcomed their beautiful, miracle baby boy to the
world on 11/11/11.

Brandi is
currently a cast member on the popular VH1 show, “Basketball Wives
LA.” She is also the owner of Midway Salon Suites, located in
Carrolton, Texas. She spends her free time playing with her
precious son and giving back through various ovarian cancer
foundations. She is happy to add that she and Jason are working on
baby #2.

Here,
she talks about her life, and about the fourth season of Basketball
Wives LA, which airs on the VH1 Network. [check local listings]

Kam
Williams: Hi
Brandi, thanks for the interview.

Brandi
Maxiell:
You're
welcome, and thanks for having me, Kam.

KW:
Congratulations on another season of Basketball Wives
LA!

BM:
Thank you, it wasn't easy.

KW:
Is
there a surprising development connected to you in store for fans?

BM:
This season is different and
was a little difficult. I let the viewers get a glimpse of my
personal life and what I’ve been dealing with this past year.

KW:
How
accurately do you feel you're presented on the show?

BM:
Last season, they presented me
very well. I feel the same about this season. I'm very blunt and
outspoken on certain topics. They stay consistent to your character.
There are some people who fool the cameras, but eventually their true
character is revealed in due time.

KW:
Is
there an unseen side of you that you'd like to let your fans know
about?

BM:
As
crazy as my life may seem on camera, not many people may know that my
faith and family are very important to me and are what keep me going.

KW:
What's
been the biggest challenge in being married to an NBA player?

BM:
Understanding. I have to
understand that the lifestyle isn't normal. Understanding that there
will be plenty mistakes and risks. There are times when you get
lonely in the cities you live in and miss your family and friends and
won't get to be there for events or holidays. As a wife, I also had
to sacrifice any career plan or goal I had to be a wife first and be
there for my husband. Being a wife to a professional basketball
player is not the easiest but, if there is true love and unity, then
it's worth it.

KW:
Have
researchers made any significant advances in the fight against
ovarian cancer?

BM:
Every day, researchers do their
best to find a cure. The biggest problem with ovarian cancer is that
the symptoms are pretty similar to what women go through on a regular
basis. When you start to notice the bigger symptoms is when it's
often too late because the cancer is so advanced.

KW:
Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone
would?

BM:
I don’t think so. People are
pretty detailed with their questions.

KW:
What is
your guiltiest pleasure?

BM:
I would have to say food. I'm
not a snacker. I'm more of a meat and potatoes type of girl. I love
me some food. I'm a true Southern girl.

KW:
The
bookworm Troy Johnson question: What was the last book you read?

BM:
Many children’s books. Since
I read to my son every night. For myself, “50 Shades of Grey.”

KW:
What is your favorite dish to cook?

BM:
Oh my! I have a lot of
favorites but I'd have to pick my pork chops. Everyone loves my pork
chops. That is the first thing on the menu when people come over.
That, or my lasagna, cream of wheat and cabbage.

KW:
The
Sanaa Lathan question: What excites you?

BM:
Being around my family. I get
so excited when I see them or just hang out with them. Family is all
you have at the end of day. They truly have your back and light up
your day. I also have a handful of friends I consider my family as
well.

KW:
The Uduak Oduok question: Who is your favorite clothes designer?

BM:
I don't have one, really. I
like what I see and buy it.

KW:
The
Mike Pittman question: What was your best career decision?

BM:
To venture out and just do it
with no “What ifs?” It was this attitude that helped me partner
with my mom on Midway Salon Suites in Carrollton, Texas.

KW:
Was
there a meaningful spiritual component to your childhood?

BM:
Yes, I went to church almost
every day with my granny. So, I was pretty much raised in the church
house. I accepted Christ as my savior and my God. I turn to him FIRST
before any single thing I do, to make sure I'm doing the right thing.
My granny taught me that and always showed me how to do that.

KW:
When
you look in the mirror, what do you see?

BM:
A beautiful black woman, inside
and out, who has faced a lot of challenges in life, who still keeps
her head held high and smiles through it all. I've been blessed...
truly blessed.

KW:
The
Dana Perino question: What keeps you up at night?

BM:
I believe I was a rock star in my past life. [LOL] I literally don't
go to bed until 2 or 3 am. I feel like I can think better at night
and get things done. It may be a Gemini thing.

KW:
If you
could have one wish instantly granted, what would it be?

BM:
To do and have all I want in
life.

KW:
The Ling-Ju Yen question: What
is your earliest childhood memory?

BM:
Going to my granny’s house
every single weekend to hang out with her, whether that meant going
to church or visiting a half-dozen different grocery stores in a day
to find a good deal. She was and still is a coupon clipper.

KW:
The Melissa Harris-Perry question:How did
your first big heartbreak impact who you are as a person?

BM:
My first heartbreak taught me
about people and friends. It taught me to choose my friends wisely,
and also to watch who I call my friend. And to never let a boy with a
cute face sweet talk you. [LOL]

KW:
The Teri Emerson question: When was the last time you had a good
laugh?

BM:
The other day with my mom.
Every time I'm with my mom and family, I laugh so much. My mom is a
comedienne, like, literally, the funniest person I know.

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The Sly Fox Film Reviews publishes the content of film critic Kam Williams. Voted Most Outstanding Journalist of the Decade by the Disilgold Soul Literary Review in 2008, Kam Williams is a syndicated film and book critic who writes for 100+ publications around the U.S., Europe, Asia, Africa, Canada and the Caribbean. He is a member of the New York Film Critics Online, the NAACP Image Awards Nominating Committee and Rotten Tomatoes.

In addition to a BA in Black Studies from Cornell, he has an MA in English from Brown, an MBA from The Wharton School, and a JD from Boston University. Kam lives in Princeton, NJ with his wife and son.